For Beach Sake

Where better to drink sake than on the beach? At the San Dieguito Estuary, to be specific, amongst the Least Tern, the Light-Footed Clapper Rail, the Western Snow Plover, Belding's Savannah Sparrow, the California Brown Pelican, and the... seagulls. Filthy creatures.



Shimizu no Mai Pure Dawn Junmai Ginjo from Akita Shurui Seizoh. The company itself was the result of a wartime merger of 12 Akita breweries, but is now well known for its Takashimizu brand.

Akita Sake Komachi and Miyamanishiki milled to 45%, SMV +3, acidity 1.3, amino acidity 1.0, and 15.5% abv. Pretty, fragrant melon nose. Very clean and light, almost ethereal, with light pear, mineral and steam notes. Yes, steam. But who knows, I was mostly smelling and tasting the ocean, which also wanted some...